Top show jumper Ever Elan died May 25 from complications with Cushing’s syndrome.  He was 26.

Ever Elan got his start in Spain competing with Enrique Sarasola, Jr.  In 1989, the bay, Dutch Warmblood gelding caught the attention of Ira Kapp, who purchased the horse and brought him to the United States for Tim Grubb to show.

Before long, “Ever” and Grubb were dominating grand prix classes across the nation.  In 1992, Ever was named National Grand Prix League Horse of the Year, and the following year he captured the $60,000 Budweiser Grand Prix of Devon (Pa.).

In 1994, Ever retired to Elan Farms in Newark, N.J. Kapp continued to trail ride him until last year, when Ever was 25 and Kapp was 81.

For the past five years, Ever shared a stall with his best friend, a palomino Miniature Horse named Goldie.  Goldie died on May 21, and Ever followed four days later.